Frank Woods x Reader

Eighteen

With your brows knitted together, you pulled your head in and grabbed the metal bar at the side of the helicopter to pull yourself up. The noise is the engine filled your ears.

Mason pulled you up.

"What happened?", you asked and carefully touched his bleeding forehead.

He squeezed one eye shut, struck by pain and gifted you an apologetic smile.

"They knocked me out.", he shrugged and turned to help Woods get in as well. "Like I said, I was careless."

Salty, Woods hit his shoulder.

Mason flinched.

"I thought I taught you better.", Woods nagged, but his eyes were soft. "How bad?"

"Don't worry.", Mason smiled. "Just a few busies and a headache."

Sighing, you shook your head and gave the pilot a sign to take off. Your hand fished for the first aid box.

"Let me see.", you popped open the red lid and grabbed some sterilised pads to clean the hole that covered a good part of his forehead.

It wasn't huge, a bit bigger than both your thumbs, nor was it deep. But the skin was torn and as you gently patted it, blood gushed out and dripped over his nose.

"Go easy on me, will ya?", he flinched.

You chuckled.

He really was charming, you had to admit. But nobody had ever struck you the way Woods did.

And nobody probably ever would.

The thought made you smirk.

With his eyes narrow, Woods walked past you and sat down. His gaze jumped from Mason to your back and started staring as if he was trying to make you look at him with his sheer willpower.

He hated to see you and Mason be best buds even after all those years of no contact.

After the disaster, Mason had sided with Woods. He knew that it was mainly because the two men had been best friends for ages, but your request had played a huge part too.

He hated to admit it, but Woods disliked seeing you with his best friend because it felt like a threat. It felt like Mason was able to take what he wanted.

While dating, he had always worried about competition, since it was easy to see what a good catch you were and that he himself wasn't. The age gap didn't make it any better. But if he would have to pick a person he did not want to compete against, it was Mason.

Because Woods knew he couldn't win. Not this fight.
Pressing his lips into a thin line, he let out a deep breath and tried to look away. But as soon as your laughter reached his ears, his head snapped back right away.

"What the fuck's so funny?", he asked.

God, he hated how angry he sounded. He hated how easy it was to make him jealous, because it still felt like you were his.

But those times were long gone.

Rolling your eyes, you glanced at him.

"He got knocked out like an idiot.", you said and placed a plaster on Mason's forehead. "A lady caught his eye."

You winked at him.

Grumpy, Mason crossed his arms but couldn't hide the smile that made the corners of his mouth rise.

"She had... huge...", he sighed. "Forget it."

"I thought you'd be a guy for ass.", you wiggled your eyebrows.

He shrugged.

"Both is good. But something to grab is nice."

Woods groaned.

You picked it up as a sound of annoyance. A feeling started to grow inside your chest.

Why was he pissed again?

He literally had no reason to ruin the mood. Besides, he was always the first to crack a joke. That was something that made him the charming grump that he was.

You gave Mason a gentle pat to his knee and got up to sit next to Woods.

His eyes moved to you, but he remained silent.

"May we have a word?", you asked.

Maybe Mason was right. Maybe it was time to talk this out. As for your part, you were fed up with all the bullshit.

You just wanted your peace. And if it needed a heart to heart talk with your ex, it was a price you were willing to pay.

A corner of his mouth flinched, revealing his pearl white teeth, as he let out a snort.

"You always want to talk.", he mumbled, more to himself than to you. "What good did it ever do?"

"It always placated you."

Woods pulled a face.

"Yeah, you always knew what to say to keep me down. Must be your job."

You swallowed a growl.

"Why are you starting this again? I thought we settled."

"We did. But I said we won't be friends."

"I'm not asking you to be my friend."

Something inside your chest pulled together. You didn't want to be his friend. But being his lover again wasn't an option and you both knew that.

It would just end in disaster again.

His eyes moved to you.

Blue met (E/C).

"Do I have to start being friendly to you anyways?", he asked and huffed.

Annoyed, but also relieved that he was starting to make his old jokes with you again, you squeezed your eyes shut and shook your head.

"You're the worst, old man.", you chuckled. "Did you ever think about being nice to people without fucking them at some point?"

Playfully shocked, he gasped.

"Nah."

"You're nice to Mason, tho."

With a smirk, he leaned towards you.

"Who said I'm not fucking him?", he glanced at Mason.

Alex rolled his eyes.

"Why did I expect you to say that?", he groaned.

"Because we're fucking.", Woods grinned.

"Shut up!"

"Why are you denying our feelings for each other?"

"Frank!"

You laughed.

"You two are like dumb and dumber.", with a satisfied smile, you crossed your arms and leaned back. "I'm glad that you stayed with Woods. I would have felt guilty to ruin... whatever you two have going on."

Mason shook his head.

"I'm your friend too.", he reminded you.

Woods hummed.

"I don't mind you two hanging out. Just don't stick your dick where it doesn't belong."

Mason grinned.

"Getting jealous?"

"You wish."

You frowned. It was strange to hear Woods say out loud that he didn't approve of you and Mason getting too close. Yet again, you would have never gotten with Mason.

Thinking about it made you shiver.